Role of synaptogenesis in developmental motoneuron cell death

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/210256

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Naturally occurring cell death is an important and necessary event that shapes the developing embryo. It occurs in all organs of the developing body. In the nervous system about 50% of all neurons die at a time when they are making contact with one another or with their target organs. The underlying mechanisms that drive programmed neuronal cell death are not known. One possibility is that the formation of neuronal contacts (synapses) with other neurons and target cells determines the fate of a neuron. The connections of motor neurons with muscle during this period of developmental neuronal cell death is the best model to examine this phenomenon. In this grant we are in an exciting position to be able to address what causes neuronal cell death, as we have a number of mice that lack key molecules needed for the formation of specializations that allow neuronal contacts to be made between motor neurons and their muscle, and with other neurons within the spinal cord. By examining the function of motor neurons, counting them and screening for molecular changes in these mice, we will be able to dissect out the mechanism of how a motor neurons' fate is determined during the period of programmed cell death. The outcomes of this research will enable us to understand how the nervous system is shaped during development and will increase our knowledge about the basis of adult neurodegenerative diseases. For example, the pathology of Alzheimer's is characterised by a breakdown in neuronal connections that ultimately result in neuronal death and a loss of thought processes (cognition).

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $361,650.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical mycology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

developmental neurobiology | motor neuron disease | nervous system development | neuromuscular diseases | neuromuscular junction | neuronal cell death | neuronal death | neurotransmission | synaptic mechanisms

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